Washington lake guide
Fish Lake — Chelan County Fishing
Fish Lake near Leavenworth is a diverse Chelan County fishery with Rainbow and Brown Trout, Kokanee, Yellow Perch, Largemouth Bass, and other resident species. It also supports popular ice fishing when conditions are safe.
LocationChelan County, Washington
Primary targetsKokanee, Largemouth Bass, Rainbow Trout
Best seasonSpring through fall
Lake size492.5 acres
Guide reviewed
Scientific profile
Research snapshot
Average depth27 feet
Max depth45 feet
Elevation1,933 feet
Summer cautionHeat
Lake depth map
Depth contours may take a little time to load. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Contour line20 ft Visible depth label
Source: Washington State Department of Ecology. Historical survey data may not reflect current water levels or underwater hazards. Informational only; not for navigation.
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What makes Fish Lake — Chelan County distinctive
FishyNW documents 9 fish species here, giving Fish Lake — Chelan County an unusually broad mix of fishing opportunities.
Fish Lake — Chelan County has documented stocking context in the FishyNW research record, adding a managed-fishery component to its profile.
Fish Lake — Chelan County is documented in Chelan County County with a dedicated FishyNW fishing and access profile.
Measured & official data
Water Science
Loading available public monitoring and fishery science…
Pass 3 · depth + water column
Seasonal Fish Habitat
Surface · 0 ft
How to read this data
Temperature, dissolved oxygen, clarity, nutrients, chlorophyll-a, pH, and conductivity are observations from public monitoring records and may be historical. Thermocline depth is shown only when FishyNW can derive a strong vertical temperature gradient from a measured profile. It is not treated as a permanent lake characteristic.
Trophic indication uses the Carlson Trophic State Index only when FishyNW can normalize a measured chlorophyll-a, Secchi, or total-phosphorus value. It is a derived ecological indicator, not an agency impairment determination.
Seasonal Fish Habitat is shown only when verified bathymetry overlaps a same-day, same-station temperature and dissolved-oxygen profile. It is a historical screening snapshot, not a live prediction of where fish are located.
For lake trout, FishyNW uses the broader USGS-tested screening combination of water at or below 15°C (59°F) and dissolved oxygen at or above 4 mg/L. For other coldwater species, FishyNW does not invent a preferred-temperature threshold; it shows only the observed thermocline-to-oxygenated-depth refuge when the evidence supports it.
Harmful-algae status is never inferred from missing data. Always check the linked state source for current advisories before contact recreation.
Open matched Water Quality Portal recordsOfficial depth chart
Official static bathymetry
Interactive contours available
Fish Lake — Chelan County official depth chart
Open the official depth publication to inspect the lake chart. This static survey complements interactive contours when available and should not be used as a navigation chart.
Fishery record
Documented fish species
These species come from the lake record. Open a species guide for identification, seasonal behavior, and practical tactics without confusing general species guidance with a lake-specific survey result.
Trout and salmon
Kokanee
Troll small dodgers, hoochies, wedding rings, or spinners.
View species guide
Bass and sunfish
Largemouth Bass
Look for weeds, docks, wood, shade, and warmer pockets.
View species guide
Trout and salmon
Rainbow Trout
Use bait, small spinners, spoons, or slow trolling depending on access.
View species guide
Trout and salmon
Brown Trout
See seasonal habitat, presentations, identification, and regulation cautions.
View species guide
Suckers and buffalo
Largescale Sucker
See identification, seasonal behavior, habitat, tactics, and gear guidance.
View species guide
Carp and minnows
Northern Pikeminnow
See habitat, seasonal behavior, presentations, and identification details.
View species guide
Carp and minnows
Redside Shiner
See habitat, seasonal behavior, presentations, and identification details.
View species guide
Perch and pike
Yellow Perch
Use small jigs, bait, or dropper rigs near schools.
View species guide
Lampreys and small native fish
Prickly Sculpin
See identification, seasonal behavior, habitat, tactics, and gear guidance.
View species guide
Fishery intelligence
Official fishery evidence
Agency survey records and measured fishery data, distilled for trip planning.
9
verified signals
Research & surveys
Agency-backed record
Use the evidence
Turn records into a fishing plan
- Compare survey evidence with the seasonal guide.
- Use the map to connect depth, access, and structure.
- Confirm current rules and access before your trip.
Trip conditions
Current conditions
Loading the local forecast. Check access and official notices before leaving.
TodayLoading
WindLoading
GustsLoading
Rain chanceLoading
Four day outlook
Tools
Today's Lure Pick
Open Tools for species-specific lure guidance.
Angler interpretation
How the fishery changes through the seasons
This is the practical layer: use it alongside the documented species, depth, stocking, survey, access, and regulation record above. The current season opens first.
Spring
trout, bass, kokanee- Start here
- Cooler water, recent stocking, fish moving shallow, and protected shorelines or inlets that warm first.
- Watch for
- Cold fronts, changing water levels, muddy inflow, and early-season ramp conditions.
Summer
bass, panfish, kokanee early- Start here
- Fish early or late, then adjust toward deeper water, shade, vegetation, or comfortable temperature zones.
- Watch for
- Heat, weeds, algae, heat, and heavier boat traffic.
Fall
trout, bass, pike or muskie- Start here
- Cooling water, shoreline structure, points, weed edges, and simple presentations that let you cover water.
- Watch for
- Wind on open water, rapidly changing weather, and shorter daylight windows.
Winter
perch, trout- Start here
- Legal open-water or ice access, stable depth zones, and conservative cold-weather trip plans.
- Watch for
- Ice safety where relevant, ramps, road conditions, cold-water exposure, and current rules.
Know before you go
Rules and restrictions
Two-pole fishing is allowed under the current WDFW profile. Verify current statewide, emergency, and ice-safety rules.
Getting on the water
Access and launches
U.S. Forest Service property borders portions of Fish Lake and a private resort offers shore, dock, and watercraft launch access for a fee.
Sorry, there are no mapped boat ramps for this lake yet. Check the access information below for other ways to reach the water.
Keep exploring
Nearby waters
Lake Wenatchee
about 3.5 miles away
Lake Wenatchee is a deep, glacier-fed Chelan County lake whose headline fishery is sockeye salmon when abundance supports…
Lake Chelan about 21.5 miles awayLake Chelan is an exceptionally deep, long coldwater lake where bathymetry is central to fishing for lake trout,…
Wapato Lake about 25.7 miles awayWapato Lake is a Chelan County fishing water documented by WDFW. Use the east-end public launch and dock.…
Roses Lake about 26.0 miles awayRoses Lake is a Chelan County fishing water documented by WDFW. Use the public south-side access for boat…
After the trip
Log what happened on the water
Use CatchSignal for catch reports, trip history, photos, and community activity. Keep your fishing history while controlling how much location detail you share.
Sources & feedback
Verified resources
Official links for this lake
Open the source that matches what you are planning.
Community feedback
See something that needs an update?
Send the correction and, when possible, the source. FishyNW reviews submissions before changing the guide.